Updated January 27, 2017: With major construction work now complete, there will no longer be a weekly Field Work Notice. Notices will be posted in 2017 if important field work is scheduled.

The Sellwood Bridge contractor is working on punch list and erosion control tasks as construction wraps up.

TRAFFIC

West Side Trail Bridge: On February 23, the bridge that connects the west side regional trail with the south sidewalk of the Sellwood Bridge opened for public use. The bridge travels under the west end of the Sellwood Bridge.

Bridge Sidewalks: On weekdays from February 27 to March 10 workers will use a snooper manlift on the bridge sidewalks to perform work on the structure below the deck. Bicyclists and pedestrians will follow a short-detour around the manlift. Work will begin on the south sidewalk, then shift to the north. A second snooper will be in use on the sidewalks the week of February 27-March 3.

Hazard markers for old bridge pier that will be removed in summer 2017

Field Work Notice - February 17, 2017

The Sellwood Bridge contractor is working on punch list tasks as construction wraps up.

Question of the Week: Why the hazard markers in the river? Several people have asked us recently about two hazard markers rising from an object in the river near the bridge. The poles mark the location of a concrete river pier from the old Sellwood Bridge. This pier could not be removed during construction of the new bridge so it will be removed during the in-water work period this summer.

TRAFFIC

Hwy 43: There will be brief traffic delays on Tuesday, Feb. 21 during non-peak hours in the through lanes under the bridge as workers in a manlift adjust overhead signs.

Old Sellwood Bridge in the News: Rachel Ginocchio is the parent of a student at Sellwood Middle School. When the old Sellwood Bridge was taken down, Rachel asked the contractor for some debris from the old bridge. She and her artistic friends turned that debris into keepsakes and items like bottle openers that were sold. Last week the group donated $7,800 raised from their sales to Sellwood Middle School.

The donation was announced at the dedication ceremony for a section of old Sellwood Bridge railing that is now in front of the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League’s (SMILE) building on SE 13th Ave. at SE Tenino St. Thanks to our general contractor the Slayden-Sundt Joint Venture for donating the bridge debris and railing for these worthwhile community causes.

On Thursday, February 9 from 9 am until some time before the afternoon commute, a contractor will be working on the traffic signal at SE 6th Ave. and SE Tacoma St. at the east end of the Sellwood Bridge. The westbound left turn signal on Tacoma St. will be turned off for several hours during the work. Drivers can turn left from Tacoma at SE 7th Ave. and cross streets to the east during the work. The eastbound left turn from Tacoma St. to 6th Ave. will also be closed for several hours during the work, so eastbound drivers will need to turn left at a street to the east.

Starting Monday, January 23, bicyclists and pedestrians crossing the Sellwood Bridge will be re-routed a short distance around a piece of construction equipment that will be stationed on one of the bridge sidewalks. Crews will use the snooper truck to install architectural light fixtures below the bridge deck. The daytime work is expected to last through January 27, possibly longer. Traffic cones and signs will direct bicyclists and pedestrians safely around the equipment. The work will impact only one sidewalk at a time. The equipment will be removed on nights and weekends.

As construction wraps up, the contractor is working on clean-up tasks throughout the project area. The field work notices describe major work items rather than these clean-up tasks. If no significant work is scheduled, we will not send out a field work notice each week.

WEST SIDE WORK

Hwy. 43: The slope under the westernmost span of the bridge is being restored as the work zone closes. The permanent concrete barrier will be installed on the outside of the northbound lane under the bridge next week.

Multiuse Path Bridge: A protective barrier needs to be installed at the bottom of the fence on this bridge that will carry bicyclists and pedestrians from the regional trail under the main bridge to reach its south sidewalk. County staff expect to install the barrier later this month after parts arrive.

Trolley Corridor: Concrete was poured for curbs this week where the trolley tracks cross the Macadam Bay driveway. On Thursday, Jan. 19, the trolley crossings at Macadam Bay and the regional trail north of the bridge will be paved, weather permitting. Raised warning domes for visually impaired pedestrians will be installed where the trail crosses the tracks near the bridge.

As construction wraps up, the contractor is working on clean-up tasks throughout the project area. The field work notice will focus on major work items rather than these clean-up tasks.

WEST SIDE WORK

Hwy. 43: Next week permanent concrete barriers will be placed on the outside of the northbound lane under the bridge and a slope under the southeast interchange ramp will be restored, as the work zone is vacated.

Multiuse Path Bridge: A protective barrier needs to be installed at the bottom of the fence on this bridge that will carry bicyclists and pedestrians from the regional trail under the main bridge to reach its south sidewalk. County staff will install the barrier later this month after parts arrive.

Trolley Corridor: A subcontractor has completed installation of the tracks along the trolley line between SW Miles St. and south of the bridge. Weather permitting, the track crossings at Macadam Bay driveway and the regional trail north of the bridge will be paved on Monday, Jan. 9. Raised warning domes for visually impaired pedestrians will be installed where the trail crosses the tracks near the bridge. The Portland Tribune ran this article about the return of the historic trolley service from Portland to Lake Oswego this summer.

As construction work wraps up, the contractor is working on clean-up tasks throughout the project area. The field work notice will focus on major work items rather than these clean-up tasks. With the short work week next week, we do not expect to send out the next notice until after Jan. 2.

TRAFFIC ALERTS

Hwy. 43 Interchange: One of two lanes on the northbound ramp from the bridge to Hwy. 43 is closed Dec. 22 from 9 am until early afternoon while a manhole cover is adjusted.

One lane of Hwy. 43 will be closed under the west end of the Sellwood Bridge on Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 9 am until as late as 3 pm while a subcontractor removes equipment from the work zone. Flaggers will direct traffic on the open lane.

On Thursday, Dec. 22, one lane on the northbound onramp from the bridge to Hwy. 43 will be closed from 9 am until early afternoon while a manhole height is adjusted. One lane will remain open on the ramp.